A Rising Tower of Babel

The Census Bureau released a report in August on “Language Use in the United States”. Based on the 2011 American Community Survey findings, the report found that the share of residents aged 5 and older who speak a language other than English at home continues to rise. Data in the report show the share speaking other than English at home has risen from 11 percent in 1980 to 20.8 percent in 2011.

The state data in the report identify where there are concentrations of residents who speak other than English at home. California tops the list at 43.8 percent, followed by New Mexico (36.5%), Texas (34.7%), New Jersey (30.4%), New York (30.1%), Nevada (29.7%), and Arizona (27%).

Other data on where there are concentrations of residents who report they speak English “not well” or “not at all” point to likely concentrations of illegal alien workers: Mississippi (27.4%), Nebraska (26.5%), Alabama (25.5%), California (25%), Oklahoma (23.9%), Texas (23.7%), Georgia (23.5%), Oregon (23.2%).

The importance of these data, other than document the weakening of English as the lingua franca of the country, is pointed to in the following comment in the report:

“The federal govern­ment uses data on language use and English-speaking ability to determine which local areas must provide language-assistance services under the Voting Rights Act. These data are also used to allocate educational funds to states to help their schools teach students with lower levels of English proficiency. In 2000, President Clinton signed an executive order requir­ing federal agencies to identify the need for services to those with limited English proficiency (LEP) and to implement a system to provide meaningful access to language-assistance services. Agencies rely on these data to determine how and where to provide language-assistance services.” (http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/acs-22.pdf)

About Author

Jack, who joined FAIR’s National Board of Advisors in 2017, is a retired U.S. diplomat with consular experience. He has testified before the U.S. Congress, U.S. Civil Rights Commission, and U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform and has authored studies of immigration issues. His national and international print, TV, and talk radio experience is extensive (including in Spanish).

4 Comments

Conservatives cannot afford to allow an immigration bill. Because we all know it will follow the 1986 Bill I believe it was which while allowing amnesty for illegals also closed the borders. The new bill whatever they claim for it will do these two things. Only the Amnesty part will pass while the close the borders will either be dropped from the bill or like the present laws totally ignored. The liberals will always support these bills because they know how they work. The current proposal will give 30-40 million new residents 98% will be Liberal voters. The no voting part of the law will be conveniently dropped during final discussions or after passing John Roberts or another tame judge will say it is unconstitutional and overturned. Amazing how the judges support laws which are favorable to demoncrap. The 30 or 40 million extra voters will make sure Liberalitis covers the country for decades.

The state data in the report identify where there are concentrations of residents who speak other than English at home. California tops the list at 43.8 percent, followed by New Mexico (36.5%), Texas (34.7%), New Jersey (30.4%), New York (30.1%), Nevada (29.7%), and Arizona (27%).
In 15 years Texas and California will be even, Texas recently has had a lot more foreigners than in the past particularity in Houston, Austin and Dallas and not all Hispanics, its cheaper to live than California and recently has been doing better economically, so foreign born whether legal or illegal are moving in.

Other data on where there are concentrations of residents who report they speak English “not well” or “not at all” point to likely concentrations of illegal alien workers: Mississippi (27.4%), Nebraska (26.5%), Alabama (25.5%), California (25%), Oklahoma (23.9%), Texas (23.7%), Georgia (23.5%), Oregon (23.2%).
Well, the first two have low Hispanics populations but the Hispanics Mississippi or Nebraska have work in meat picking or chicken processing or slaughter houses and those too states don’t have Mexicans as long as California or Texas which explains the higher concentration.

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